I met Dave at Netroots Nation last July in Austin, Texas. Here is the first I saw of him:
Immediately after this episode, I ran outside to try to follow up on Mr. Ford's absurd remarks. Dave Weintraub aka Dave From Queens beat me there. He was already peppering Mr. Ford with questions, and clearly making him uncomfortable. He even challenged Mr. Ford to debate him -- an offer that was quickly refused. With camera in hand, Dave and I chased Harold Ford to the side of the convention center outside, where he waved and ducked into an SUV. Dave and I chatted for a bit, and exchanged contact information, promising to stay in touch.
About three months later I heard from Dave again. He had tickets to a Sarah Palin speech in Virginia Beach. He wanted me to go with him to record Palin supporters saying outrageous and offensive things. The plan was to pretend we were from a bible college and ask people provocative questions, catching everything with my flip cam. We would then distribute the video footage online, in an effort to discredit Palin supporters and convince moderates that they didn't fit into the modern GOP mold. Since it was a last minute trip Dave was planning, I decided not to go. I wish I had. I didn't end up having the chance to speak or work with Dave again.
Dave from Queens unexpectedly passed away on Saturday. The cause of death is still unclear. His funeral was yesterday, and information is available on this Daily Kos diary. I couldn't attend, but my thoughts were there.
We need more people with the kind of raw unadulterated courage Dave displayed. In my minimal interactions with the man it was obvious to me that he possessed a special energy - some sort of laser-like determination to get to the bottom of things. His persistence was uncanny, and inspirational. In a world far too often characterized by apathy, timidity and inaction, Dave's courage will be sorely missed.
Here is an example of the type of blog post Dave wrote, Conservative Economics In A Nutshell:
Objective: To redistribute all money and resources from the many and transfer that wealth into the hands of an elite few through any means necessary.
How it works - 1) Raise taxes and fees on middle class. 2. Cut taxes for wealthy. 3. Take tax money collected from middle class and bailout the rich with welfare. 4. Repeat 1-3.
Quite frankly I'm sick of it. Capital gains taxes should be tripled. Income taxes on yearly wealth (including stocks and other assets) from 5 million to 100 million should be taxed at 70%. Yearly wealth from 100 million up should be taxed at 90%.
CT Bob shared some thoughts about Dave as well:
Dave was quite a character. In his quest to further the progressive agenda, he took part in some memorable political street theater. His habit of wearing a George W. Bush mask and carrying hilarious signs at events where well-known Bush-ites like Joe Lieberman would appear is legendary.
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Dave was truly one-of-a-kind. His political antics will hopefully result in his being remembered fondly even by those who had differences with him near the end. One thing is sure - they broke the mold after that guy was born!
Here are a few photos:
Other resources:
Facebook Group
Dave's Blog
Funeral Info
Rest in Power, Dave.